The next morning I sought Nirhen, whom I found by the pavilion overlooking the river, alone, because she is unsociable, and delivered Lord Anglachelm’s message to her, and said I would attend her to the Hall of Fire, where she would await our Lordship. I sensed her disgust and hatred of me, but she said nothing, and immediately set out at a very brisk pace. I was somewhat more cheered, seeing that she would go willingly, and I would not need to lay a hand upon her. I followed her down the street, a good distance behind, ready to draw my sword if need be, but she never resisted. It was if she did not hear my footsteps at all. We reached the House without event, and once inside the courtyard, I was surprised to see her place her father’s sword in trust with the scholar Cachunír.
Inside the Hall, Laurelindo was standing by the fire, and we idled away an hour or two, not saying anything. Company not saying anything makes me feel very ill at ease. I noticed how Nirhen sneered at Laurelindo, sneered at me, sneered at the gilded Hall, sneered at the cheery fire. Reaching into her boot, she pulled out a long dagger, and began to lazily regard its razor-sharp edge. I saw Sogadan give a nervous start, and his eyes grew wide. Is there some reason why you have brought that into the Hall of Fire? asked Laurelindo. Nirhen looked at my little eating knife, which I happened to be polishing at that moment. So I quickly put it away, lest she thought I was challenging her to a duel, and saw that she did likewise; but I thought that she might pull out her dagger at any time, and should protect myself, so I kept my hand on my eating knife, in case it was a ruse. Then I foolishly thought to engage her in conversation, and asked if she cared to know the name of the Defender at her trial, but she merely shrugged and sneered again. And then Laurelindo said he must depart, and see how the ill folk of the House were faring after their food-poisoning! I was myself reminded that I had business to attend for my Lord, and must see to the book accounts of the House, but before I left the Hall, I gave Nirhen some words of advice, and that is to use her time alone to think on things. She may come to regret what she has done, and seem remorseful at her trial, and it may be that the Lords find pity upon her. Feeling remorseful does not guarantee that she will never do anything wrong again, but it can make her more conscious of her nature, and find reason to improve it. I told her that I do not judge her, but she will be judged by the Lords, and again, later.
Thus speaking, I left her to severely reflect her guilty conscience, and the inclinations of her spirit, which are anything but lawful and honorable, and endeavour to change the actions of her life, but I am not particularly hopeful that she will, because her mind is not made for virtuous and worthy things. I do not like to say it, but I think she loves engaging in ill behavior, so much so that it has become a habit, and cares little for the blemishes she brings upon our House, and the uneasiness and trouble she creates for the Lords. She has already caused the fall of the reputations of Naergon and Lord Estarfin, and it does remind me of the old saying, one bad apple spoils the whole barrel – still, it is also said that buried at the very heart of every bad apple is a seed of goodness.
